Ulsan Office of Education Launches 'Seed Teacher' Program to Promote Voluntary Lesson Sharing

Leading Classroom Innovation Based on Teachers' Autonomy and Voluntary Participation
Building Collaborative Learning Communities Among Colleagues to Strengthen Professionalism

Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Cheon Changsu) has been operating the 'Ssiat Teacher' program since March to foster a culture of voluntary lesson sharing among teachers and to lead classroom innovation.

The 'Ssiat Teacher' program was introduced to promote a collaborative teaching culture among teachers and to improve the quality of classroom lessons. It is expected that teachers will have opportunities to grow together with their colleagues by sharing their own teaching experiences.

In middle and high schools, one or two 'Ssiat Teachers' are selected and participate in professional learning communities focused on lessons and assessments, sharing their classroom practices.

They also form 'Lesson Buddy' relationships with fellow teachers, regularly discuss teaching concerns, and carry out various activities such as writing their own 'Lesson Growth Report.'

Teachers selected as Ssiat Teachers receive support such as an educational technology (Edutech) tool usage grant (400,000 KRW), priority participation in customized training, additional points (up to 5 points) when being selected for the Classroom Lesson Improvement Support Group, and one-on-one lesson consultations.

The Ulsan Office of Education has established a step-by-step growth system to ensure that Ssiat Teachers become the core of classroom innovation within schools. Teachers who participate for more than one year become 'Tteoknip Teachers,' and those who participate for more than two years become 'Neutinamu Teachers,' receiving continuous support.

An official from the Ulsan Office of Education stated, "We expect Ssiat Teachers to play a key role in creating a student-centered classroom environment by bringing about changes in the classroom," and added, "We will continue to build a sustainable lesson innovation system based on teachers' autonomy and voluntary participation."

Any middle or high school teacher can participate in the 'Ssiat Teacher' program. For more information, please visit the 'Sueopmoa' website.